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Mahanay hopes to exit with title

Bearcat competing at 5A State Golf Tournament

Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.
Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.
Rick Mauch/The Community News
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One way or another, Braylon Mahanay is going to play his final round as an Aledo Bearcat golfer next Tuesday, May 23. In fitting Aledo fashion it will be at the Class 5A State Tournament on the White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.

It's not quite the ending Mahanay was hoping for as he's competing solo, his team coming up just shy of a return visit at last month's Region 1 Tournament in Lubbock. That inspires Mahanay even more to finish strong to honor his longtime teammates and friends.

"Yeah, we're not going as a team, and I wish we were," he said. "But I thought if I could make it to state one last time to play for a state title that would be a great way to end my career here."

Mahanay qualified as a medalist for state after tying for third at the regional tournament. He bested the legendary West Texas winds at the Rawls Golf Course to make his return to Georgetown and another course he knows well.

"We all know how hard the Rawls Course was," Mahanay said. "This course is challenging in a different way, though.

"I know the holes visually. It's not long, but it's pretty tight. You've got to hit it straight."

White Wing can be described as deceptively challenging. Bearcats coach Brian Mourning noted that it forces golfers to play smart — which is something Mahanay does well.

Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.
Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.

"Braylon's going to be Braylon. He has an even keel attitude that serves him well," Mourning said. "He's the anchor of this guy's team. He doesn't get frustrated."

Last season Mahanay tied for 38th individually at state with rounds of 80 and 77. That experience, along with playing in a state preview at White Wing in March, give him added confidence this season, he said.

"At the beginning of the season I was playing pretty good, but the preview, the Bearcat Brawl, district, Rawls and now, I am feeling really great about my game," he said.

Though he'll only be a Bearcat in heart and spirit after this season, Mahanay isn't going far. He has committed to play for Weatherford College next season.

"They're a top 20 Juco (junior college) in the state, and they're close to home also," he said. "And coach (Jesse) Speirs is a great guy. I'm going to enjoy playing for him."

Mourning added, "I look for him to go to Weatherford College, play great, and then finish elsewhere playing for a larger program. He has a lot of great golf ahead of him - and a lot in life. He's just an all-around great young man."

As for saying farewell to his golfing days at Aledo and friends/teammates, some of whom he said he's known since kindergarten, Mahanay said, "I've definitely been thinking about it. It's definitely bittersweet. But it's time for the next chapter. Hopefully we can close this one in a big way."

Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.
Aledo senior Braylon Mahanay will compete at the Class 5A Boys State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.

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